Page 251 of Quinlan

“Yeah, that one. They aren’t here. Jagger’s apartment is empty. The chick lives in Europe.” Aria twists her face to us, giving me a better view of her smirk. Of her ugly face. “So your half-brother here did some digging. He found out where Damien lives and about his roommates. After that, finding the accident report was child’s play. Then Rex found me, and I have to say, it was creepy that he came up to me at night, but it made sense. He said it was when he didn’t feel like we’re being watched, and I think he was right.”

Damn him. He might’ve not seen the private investigators, haven’t found out where they were hiding. He has, however, sniffed them out.

“Are you done?” Rex scowls at the black rod. “Or are you planning to tell her everything?”

“I’ll say whatever I goddamn please.” She cackles, pressing the gas when the light turns green. “Look at her, she’s so angry. She deserves it. This is my revenge too.”

Fine with me. The more she talks, the better. They could have more accomplices waiting for them out there. It’s vital that I know everything. I won’t be blindsided when I pull off my plan.

Rex curses at her, his free hand locking on my bicep. My left one.

I have to bite down on my smirk.

I’m right-handed, bitch.

“Rome’s parents havefled the country. Right. I bet they’re dead.” Her words are like knives to the chest. These two people know. They have a good idea, at the very least. “I’m still alive. Still unemployed. Tell me, cunt, is Liam responsible for me getting fired? He must be. Just like he’s probably responsible for moving his parents away from here. Weak. He was always weak.”

Her words don’t hurt. Her words are nothing but a flow of information while I scan my surroundings. After a quick sweepof the street, I learn that we’re driving downtown. The night descends on the city and the alleys keep getting darker and darker.

“So, no one else, huh?” My eyes cut to Rex.

“Three men, Quinlan. Did you let them fuck you?” Rex snorts. “You know what? Don’t want to hear it. You disgust me.”

“Didn’t plan on it.” Unlike Aria, I can and will keep my cards close to my chest.

I’ll be smart about this. I’ll strike at the exact. Right. Moment.

My lips are pressed into a thin line, my eyes giving nothing.

A bump in the road and…

This is my cue. My only shot at getting back at them and breaking free.

The car rattles at the bump. A slight movement I’m quick to use to my advantage. My chin slips out of Rex’s grip and—yes—my jab hits him square in the jaw.

“The fuck?” His eyes are wide. He’s frozen in place. In shock.

Aria shouts, “What’s going on back there?”

I land another blow to Rex’s cheek.

There isn’t enough space for me to draw my arm back like I’m supposed to. Doesn’t matter. Rome taught me what to do in case I’m cornered. I twist my body as much as I can, using the momentum to throw another punch at Rex. This one lands on his eye.

“Bitch!” he shouts, scrambling to put his hands both on his face and on me.

To hurt me.

He’ll fail.

Aria does exactly what I intended her to. She’s driving slower, her eyes scouring the alleys. Searching for an empty one. A place to stop, where she can hit me with her metal rod.

Not if I get to her first.

The days anyone—anyone at all—hurts my men are over.

My plan is only as good as long as we’re moving. I need the momentum for it to succeed.

Rex grunts and reaches for me. He’s about to put his hands on me again, and this time he won’t let go. Not until I’m dead.

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